Fluorescent lighting fixture having removable light-controlling panels at the sides thereof



2,525,556 G F E ANELS AT THE SIDES THE F Filed Feb. 28. 1950 R. G. MARCHISIO FLUORESCENT LIGHTIN IXTURE HAVING REMOV LIGHT-CONTROLLING F Oct. 10, 1950 R O T N E V m ROBERT G. MARCH ISIO 6 ATToRlY Patented Oct. 10, 1950 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE HAVING REMOVABLE LIGHT-CONTROLLING PAN- ELS AT THE SIDES THEREOF Robert G. Marchisio, Wenham, Mass., assignor to Sylvania Electric Products Inc., Salem, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 28, 1950, Serial No. 146,672

2 Claims. (01. 240-5111) This invention relates to electric lighting fixtures and more particularly to those in which elongated linear light sources such as fluorescent lamps are employed.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved means for mounting light-controlling panels in said fixtures.

Another object is to provide an improved means for securin the mounted light-controlling panels in said fixtures.

A further object is to provide mounting and securing means for light-controlling panels which may be quickly and easily disengaged without the use of tools, for maintenance purposes such as re-lamping for example.

Further objects, advantages and features will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a fluorescent lamp fixture with which the mounting and securing means of this invention may be employed.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the fixture of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an end of the fixture of Figure 1 with the light-controlling panel removed.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an end of the fixture of Figure 1 with the light-controlling panel in position.

This invention embodies the idea of providing simple, eflective mechanisms for mounting and securing light-controlling panels in the sides of fluorescent lamp fixtures. More specifically, it embodies the idea of providing each fixture endplate with two pairs of retaining tabs on which the light-controlling panels are hung and a latch associated with each pair of retainin tabs for securin the light-controlling panels in position. Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing show one type of fluorescent lamp fixture with which the mounting and securing means of this invention may be employed. Their ready adaptability to fixtures other than the one illustrated will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The fixture, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, comprises an elongated channel-like chassis I, a pair of end-plates 2 attached to the ends thereof, a Vshaped reflector 3 supported by the end plates 2 and disposed beneath the chassis I, a plurality of louver fins 4 connected to and extending transversely of the reflector 3, and a pair of light-controlling panels 5 supported. by and extending between the end plates 2.

The elongated channel-like chassis I serves as a mounting member to which a ballast and conventional wiring equipment (not shown) may be attached. The top of the chassis I is provided with a plurality of knock-outs (not shown) through which suitable mechanical connections may be made to hang or mount the fixture and through which the wiring equipment may be connected to a source of electric power. A pair of lampholders 6 may be mounted on the inside face of the chassis I at each end thereof and project outwardly therefrom through suitable cutouts therefor. Alternatively the lampholders may be mounted on the end plates 2. Fluorescent lamps I2 are supported by these lampholders 6. The end plates 2 are attached to the chassis I by means of screws II which extend through the chassis and an inwardly turned flange 8 on the upper peripheral edge of each end plate; and by means of a pair of lances 9, in the inside face of each end plate, which interlock in slots cut in the sides of the chassis adjacent the ends thereof.

The reflector 3, which is disposed beneath the chassis I and which extends from one end plate to another, is supported by sprin latches I3, mounted on the inside face of each end plate and engaged by cooperating slots cut in the ends of the reflector. The reflector 3 has a plurality of slots cut transversely therein into which the louver fins 4 are inserted. Each fin 4 has a tab I4 formed integral therewith which is deformed after the fin has been positioned in the reflector slot, thereby providing a mechanical locking of the fin to the reflector (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) A pair of reflector chain retainers I8 (Fig. 3), one end of each of which is attached to the chassis I and the other end of each to the tab Id of a louver fin 4, are provided intermediate the ends of the chassis.

These retainers I8 serve as a means for supporting the reflector 3 a few inches below the chassis I after the reflector 3 has been disengaged from the spring latches l3. This device provides a convenient mechanism for supporting the reflector when access to the chassis I for maintenance purposes is desired. This device also serves as a safety hanger in case of malfunction of spring latches I3.

The manner in which the light-controlling panels 5 are mounted and secured in position is shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The inside face of each end plate is provided with two pairs of retaining tabs Iii, the adjacent faces of each tab defining a slot I. One of the longitudinal edges of each panel is bent back on itself to define a rib 20. Each panel I is positioned on the fixture by inserting the rib 20 into the slots 1 defined by the adjacent faces of the retaining tabs i opposite one another on the two end plates. A latch I1 is pivotally mounted on each end plate adjacent each pair of retaining tabs Ii. After the panels 5 have been mounted on the retaining tabs it the latches II are rotated to the closed position as shown in Figures 3 and 5, thereby locking the panels 5 in position. Locking of the panels prevents them from being dislodged or rattling in installations where high vibration is prevalent.

In cases where the panel mounting and looking means of this invention as just described is employed with fluorescent lighting fixtures of the louvered type, such as the fixture of Figures 1, 2 and 3 for example, additional rigidity of the panel mounting may be obtained by providing the lower longitudinal edge of the panel with a rib 2i and the ends of the louver fins l with a hook portion iii in which the rib M is seated.

Many highly desirable advantages are obtained by the use of the panel mounting and locking means of this invention. For example, no tools are required to either mount or lock the panels in position. This not only facilitates the original assembly of the fixture but it also greatly simplifies the maintenance problem. No tools are required to remove the panels for cleaning purposes or to provide access to the lamps for re-lamping.

What I claim is:

1. In a lighting fixture, the combination of a chassis; end plates mounted on the ends of said chassis; a reflector lying beneath said chassis and mounted on said end plates; a plurality of louver fins attached to said reflector and extending transversely thereof, the ends of said louver fins being provided with an upwardly turned hook portion; a projection on each side of the inside face of each of said end plates and adjacent the top thereof; and a light-controlling panel having an inwardly turned rib formed in the upper longitudinal edge thereof and mounted on said projections, the lower longitudinal edge of said panel being seated in the hook portion of said louver fins.

2. In a lighting fixture, the combination of a chassis; end plates mounted on the ends of said chassis; a reflector lying beneath said chassis and mounted on said end plates; a plurality of louver fins attached to said reflector and extending transversely thereof, the ends of said louver fins being provided with an upwardly turned hook portion; a projection on each side of the inside face of each of said end plates and adjacent the top thereof; a light-controlling panel having an inwardly turned rib formed in the upper longitudinal edge thereof and mounted on said projections, the lower longitudinal edge of said panel being seated in the hook portion of said louver fins; and a latch mounted on the inside face of each end plate adjacent each of said projections and movable into locking engagement with said light-controlling panel.

ROBERT G. MARCHISIO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 136,641 Masterson Nov. 9, 1943 D. 153,002 Meyer Mar. 8, 1949 2,280,534 Masterson et a1. Apr. 21, 1942 2,309,059 Friend Jan. 19, 1943 2,314,420 Orth Mar. 23, 1943 2,338,077 Scribner Dec. 28, 1943 2,490,191 Baker Dec. 6, 1949 

